Overhead view

[saveywil1]

I am trying to do a little research on this feature whilst awaiting delivery of my car.
I have a very narrow driveway with a small but annoying curb on either side. Searching through the forums I can't seem to get a definitive answer on this;

Can I engage this feature whilst in forward motion, plus when engaging reverse is it possible to to toggle between the automatic reverse camera and overhead view?

I've read that with a software update to iDrive it may not be that simple..

Any thoughts will be very much appreciated.

[allinon72]

Yes you can turn it on going forward, under a certain speed. And yes you can toggle views while in reverse.

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Pressing the button on the center console activates top down view immediately. You can toggle between rear view and top town but it's a cumbersome. You have to click left with the iDrive wheel and scroll down to the rear view camera button. If you have touchscreen it's a bit easier but I don't like touching the screen. Fingerprints.

[saveywil1]

Originally Posted by pheerIx

Pressing the button on the center console activates top down view immediately. You can toggle between rear view and top town but it's a cumbersome. You have to click left with the iDrive wheel and scroll down to the rear view camera button. If you have touchscreen it's a bit easier but I don't like touching the screen. Fingerprints.

Thank you very much!

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by pheerIx

Pressing the button on the center console activates top down view immediately. You can toggle between rear view and top town but it's a cumbersome. You have to click left with the iDrive wheel and scroll down to the rear view camera button. If you have touchscreen it's a bit easier but I don't like touching the screen. Fingerprints.

I will second the "annoyance" of having to use the iDrive controller to switch between top down and rear view - 1st world problems....

That said, after using top down in lieu of rear view, I hardly use rear view now as I have top down set is my default camera mode for reverse (or pressing the button on the center console). Between the ultrasonic sensors in the bumpers (with display), mirrors and not driving fast in reverse, I have found the top down view to be my preferred setup. It definitely comes in handy when pulling into tight parking spaces. Also, switching between top down and side view cameras (to protect your bumper and/or splitter) is very quick and easy by using the button in the center console.

[hinckley]

OP, you'll get a lot of responses with different answers that are all correct - for the individual posters.

There's at least three threads on this topic, but the fact is that this functionality changed in iDrive somewhere around mid-2017. It may (hopefully) change again by the time you get your car, but as it stands now, the reverse camera is the default view when shifting into reverse. The overhead view cannot be toggled by pushing the iDrive controller or the camera button. The only way to switch between the two views is a very cumbersome four step process (push the controller to the left, turn the controller once notch clockwise, push down on the controller, push the controller to the right).

I wish I had better new for you.

[jmciver]

Ah yes, I remember reading about that on the forums not too long ago. My guess is BMW changed that beginning with MY18 cars...

https://www.autotrader.com/car-news/...atory-2-223739

That said, I am sure it is just a software switch to restore the previous functionality. I am surprised it has not been "discovered" yet by the coding community...

[hinckley]

Originally Posted by jmciver

That said, I am sure it is just a software switch to restore the previous functionality. I am surprised it has not been "discovered" yet by the coding community...

They're trying hard, but without any luck so far.

[saveywil1]

Thank you all for the feedback. I shall just have to wait and work my way through the iDrive options.
Most important would be having access to the overhead view at low speeds while entering the drive, I can live with the rear camera whilst reversing into the garage.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by saveywil1

Thank you all for the feedback. I shall just have to wait and work my way through the iDrive options.
Most important would be having access to the overhead view at low speeds while entering the drive, I can live with the rear camera whilst reversing into the garage.

Actually, I find the top view most useful when backing into my garage, which is pretty tight on all sides. I never realized how useful it was until I accidentally switched to top view one day when backing into the garage - been using it ever since.

[pmooiweer]

Originally Posted by saveywil1

Thank you all for the feedback. I shall just have to wait and work my way through the iDrive options.
Most important would be having access to the overhead view at low speeds while entering the drive, I can live with the rear camera whilst reversing into the garage.

The on-screen button to switch between top and rear views still works and is the easiest/quickest way to toggle between modes. The system switches to rear view whenever you engage reverse gear.

[jmciver]

This might be an example where the touchscreen actually does something better than the iDrive controller.... My car defaults to (i.e. remembers) the last setting (top view or rear view) when I put the car in reverse. But using the touchscreen to switch between the two is definitely quicker and easier.

One other thing I noticed when playing with this that I had not noticed previously... Using the button on the center console to turn on the cameras (vice putting the car in reverse), my car will always default to top view - regardless of the last camera setting when putting the car in reverse. Even if I turn on rear view (after using the button on the center console to turn on the cameras), it will still default back to top view if I subsequently press the button again.

Not sure if this button behavior will be the same on MY18 cars (with or without touchscreen), but it may be worth a look.

[JibSTir13]

Try programming one of the preset buttons to rear view - that way it can be accessed at the push of a button.

I haven't tried programming one of the buttons like this so am not sure if it's possible although seems like it should work.

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Originally Posted by JibSTir13

Try programming one of the preset buttons to rear view - that way it can be accessed at the push of a button.

Doesn't work with the 2018

[JibSTir13]

Originally Posted by pheerIx

Doesn't work with the 2018

Bummer.

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Originally Posted by JibSTir13

Bummer.

A big bimmer bummer

[saveywil1]

Originally Posted by jmciver

Actually, I find the top view most useful when backing into my garage, which is pretty tight on all sides. I never realized how useful it was until I accidentally switched to top view one day when backing into the garage - been using it ever since.

That's also great to hear. The garage itself is going to be reasonably tight, especially with the wide rear arches. I also have to worry about the nose being quite low as I've a bit of an incline to navigate. We can't move out of the city soon enough!

[Aaaaaaaaa]

I personally enjoy fitting thick things in tight spaces